HAWTHORN speedster Cyril Rioli has placed second in the AFL's Rising Star awardCYRIL RIOLI'S outstanding debut season has been capped off with his coming second to Fremantle's Rhys Palmer in the AFL's Rising Star award yesterday.
Palmer polled 44 votes, seven clear of Rioli, to win the award.
The young Territorian's focus now turns to Friday night's qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs.
The Hawk's coach Allistair Clarkson said irrespective of where Rioli placed in the award, he's pretty happy having him at the club.
"We know we've got a little beauty and he’ll be a diamond in our pack for a long period of time," Clarkson said.
Rioli, 19, was selected at No 12 in last year's draft, has played every match this season for Hawthorn and booted 20 goals as a small forward.
His eye-catching efforts have netted him an unprecedented four nominations in the AFL's mark and goal of the year awards for a first-year player, including a final round nomination.
"I don't think at any point when you draft a lad, even in the first round of a draft, do you expect that they're going to make the contribution that he's been able to make," Clarkson added.
"You know, he's up there in the competition for goal assists, he's up there in the competition for small forwards in terms of goals, he's up there in the competition for tackles and he's up there in the competition in terms of being a quality young bloke, too.
"So we're just delighted that he's at our footy club and we think that he’s going to have a real influential future in terms of the way we go about it over the next few years."
Melbourne debutant Austin Wonaeamirri was nominated in Round 7 for his stirring efforts against Fremantle at the MCG, his final-quarter goals -- and team-lifting celebrations -- igniting the Demons to a rare win.
The Bulldogs' Josh Hill, who made his AFL debut last year, was recognised in Round 2 in the match against Melbourne.
Indigenous players who have won the AFL's Rising Star, instituted in 1993, include Byron Pickett (North Melbourne, 1998), Adam Goodes (Sydney, 1999) and Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide, 2006).
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Last Modified on 04/09/2008 14:58